AFL great Terry Wallace has revealed expansive lengths West Coast talent scouts are taking to find a replacement ruckman with star big man Nic Naitanui out of action next season.
Wallace has unveiled mature-aged VFL big man Tom Goodwin from Coburg as a prime target as the Eagles search for back-up for Naitanui, who will miss most of next season recovering from a full knee reconstruction.
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And Wallace strongly predicts Fremantle will lure out-of-favour Geelong forward Shane Kersten back to his home state.
The 23-year-old is due to have medical tests and meetings with Dockers officials this week about a return west.
Kersten has played 37 senior games for the Cats but was overlooked for their finals series after a breakout 17 outings this season, when the strong-marking forward booted 22 goals but managed just two in his last six games.
He had been widely expected to resume with Geelong for its preliminary final against Sydney but experienced defender Lachlan Henderson was recalled to play forward after recovering from a five-week injury.
Kersten looks certain to join three-time Hawthorn premiership winger Brad Hill and Giants key forward Cam McCarthy as Dockers recruits through this month's trade period.
"I think that Shane Kersten is very likely to be a Fremantle player," Wallace told Radio 6PR.
"He got mucked around left, right and centre with Geelong late in the year.
"So I think he will be out of there and I think Fremantle is a good home for him."
Wallace disclosed that Goodwin had held discussions with Eagles recruiting staff.
The triple Hawthorn premiership star and leading AFL analyst also expects West Coast to enter the race for out-of-favour Port Adelaide big man Matthew Lobbe.
Lobbe, 27, has emerged as a potential trade after a shock fallout from a savage list review around at Port.
West Coast will lean heavily on emerging big man Scott Lycett to lead ruck duties next season with support from Jon Giles, who played the last two games of the Eagles season after Naitanui ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the round 22 win over Hawthorn in Perth.
West Coast management is also in negotiations with sacked North Melbourne big man Drew Petrie to provide urgent back-up reinforcement, with the 316-game veteran in Perth for further discussions on a potential move to play one season as an Eagles.
Wallace described the surprise possible Eagles VFL signing as "tough as nails" and sent a warning to Lycett and Giles if Goodwin is lured west.
"A warning for Lycett and Giles if he comes across. Don't train with him," Wallace said.
"He is super tough. He eats raw leather."
Wallace predicts a shock call-up for Goodwin on the Eagles rookie list.
"Whether he is good enough to make the grade or not is the other question," he said.
"It's a big step up to AFL, but he will take every opportunity and rip it apart."
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